Asia News
Briefs

Updated Nov. 1, 2000 4:30 p.m. ET

Indonesia's October Consumer Price Index Rose 1.16%

Indonesia's consumer price index in October rose 1.16% from a month earlier, compared with a contraction of 0.06% in September. The inflationary pressure is due largely to a 12% fuel-price increase that took effect Oct. 1 but is unlikely to lead to much higher interest rates while local demand remains low. Despite creeping inflation and an expected increase in civil-servant salaries later this month, the government can't afford to raise rates, which would push up the cost of servicing its already huge government debt. Inflation grew 7.97% in October from a year...